Cairns Chinese New Year Festival (8-24 February)Chinese New Year year seems to become a bigger event every year in Cairns with thousands of Chinese tourists descending upon the city for the celebrations. Highlights this year are the Esplanade fireworks on 16 February and the ever popular Chinese Street Festival on 24 February with Lion dancing, traditional drumming, performances, Chinese food and lots of colourful entertainment. Book yourself in for some yum cha to welcome in the year of the dog.

Palm Creek Folk Festival (7-10 June)After 25 years this festival is still a popular event on the calendar with heaps of performers over four days. Held at the Mountain View Lake Eco Park about 40kms south of Townsville.

Laura Dance Festival (bi-annual, next one 2019)
Unique cultural event bringing together Cape York’s Aboriginal communities for dance, singing, art and crafts. It’s held every two years at the Dance Festival Showgrounds near Split Rock (approx. 300kms from Cairns). Camping is the only option for accommodation.

Townsville Show (29 June-2 July)
Townsville Show opens 5pm Friday night and runs until 10pm on Monday. The Monday is a public holiday for locals.

Australian Festival Chamber of Music (27 July–5 August)
A well-established event in Townsville with an international reputation. Classical musicians from around the world will be performing.

Whitsunday Reef Festival (2-5 August)Annual event held in Airlie Beach celebrating life in the Whitsundays

Australian Italian Festival (4-5 August)
Celebration of the regions Italian migrants in Ingham.

Townsville Cultural Festival (17-19 August)
One of Townsville’s best events celebrating the diversity of Australian culture with performances and food from the Pacific Islands, Middle East and a range of other nations.

Airlie Beach Race Week (9-16 August)

Tropical Writers Festival (17-19 August)A bi-annual event that attracts book lovers and writers from around the country including some big name authors.

Townsville Triathlon Festival (17-19 August)

Hamilton Island Race Week (18-25 August)
A major international event and Australia’s largest offshore sailing regatta.

Cairns Ukulele Festival (tbc)
Feel the tropical vibe with thousands of ukulele players from around the world. A surprisingly fun event that has been gaining momentum each year, especially as they keep trying to break the world record for number of people playing together at the same time.

Cairns Festival (24 August-2 September)
A celebration of living in the tropics. Kicks off with a street parade and finishes with Carnival on Collins on Father’s Day.

Magnetic Island Race Week (30 August-6 September)A great excuse to enjoy the beautiful Magnetic Island and surrounding ocean. There are also lots of social activities happening on the island too.